Lord Blunkett

The Cabinet Office has not awarded any contracts to WPI Strategy. Central Government departments are responsible for their own procurement and contract awards within their departments. Details of central government contracts above £12,000 and public sector contracts above £30,000 for procurements commenced before 24 February 2025 are published on Contracts Finder. Contracts procured under the Procurement Act 2023, which came into force on 24 February 2025, are published on the Central Digital Platform Find a Tender service. This includes the names of winning suppliers.

There are numerous government arms-length bodies and agencies that spend public money, including to deliver services on behalf of government departments. These bodies have specified budgets and are accountable to the relevant government department. Financial planning for these bodies is therefore part of each department’s spending review process.

There are numerous government arms-length bodies and agencies that spend public money, including to deliver services on behalf of government departments. These bodies have specified budgets and are accountable to the relevant government department. Financial planning for these bodies is therefore part of each department’s spending review process.

As the Chancellor announced in the Spring Statement, Government departments will aim to reduce their administrative budgets by 15% by the end of the decade. Savings on back‑office functions are expected to total £2.2 billion in 2029-30 whilst ensuring that front line services are prioritised. Individual departments are responsible for delivering these reductions in administrative budgets, which can include savings relating to outsourced providers.

More generally, as part of ongoing contract and commercial management of the suppliers providing services into Government buildings, costs are consistently reviewed and where changes to services or efficiencies identified, these are implemented.

There are currently 63 living recipients of the Companion of Honour. Data is collected using the region that the recipient gave as their correspondence address when the honour was originally awarded, therefore current address data for recipients prior to the New Year Honours 2025 round is not held. In the New Years Honours 2025 list, there was 1 Companion of Honour awarded to a recipient in the London region.

Statistical information held in relation to the regional breakdown of recipients at all levels for the King’s New Year Honours List 2025 can be found below. Percentages are rounded to 1 decimal point. Data for CBE and higher levels has been aggregated and is also included below. Data reflects the correspondence address provided by recipients.

Data is collected using city/town and county, then aggregated into regional figures at the time that the recipients were sounded for an award, not when they were originally nominated. There were 17 individuals who noted their location as South Yorkshire in the New Year Honours 2025 List, none of which were above OBE level. There were 11 individuals who noted their location as Sheffield, none of which were above OBE level.

Information on the number of nominations by mayoral authority in South Yorkshire is not captured, as we are unable to break down the data in that way. However, of those who listed their location as South Yorkshire, 1 individual received an award above MBE level.

56 recipients of honours in the New Year's Honours List 2025 received recognition in previous honours lists.

This data relates only to the main Prime Minister’s List and does not include data from the Defence List or the Overseas and International List, which are not administered by the Cabinet Office.

Transparency data for the list by county, the level of award received and the service for which each recipient has been recognised, as well as information on recipients recognised in previous honours lists, is publicly available on gov.uk.

Honours are awarded on merit basis. A key aim of the honours system is to ensure that it is more representative of the country as a whole and we will continue to encourage more nominations from every corner of the UK, including South Yorkshire, in future honours lists.

There are currently 63 living recipients of the Companion of Honour. Data is collected using the region that the recipient gave as their correspondence address when the honour was originally awarded, therefore current address data for recipients prior to the New Year Honours 2025 round is not held. In the New Years Honours 2025 list, there was 1 Companion of Honour awarded to a recipient in the London region.

Statistical information held in relation to the regional breakdown of recipients at all levels for the King’s New Year Honours List 2025 can be found below. Percentages are rounded to 1 decimal point. Data for CBE and higher levels has been aggregated and is also included below. Data reflects the correspondence address provided by recipients.

Data is collected using city/town and county, then aggregated into regional figures at the time that the recipients were sounded for an award, not when they were originally nominated. There were 17 individuals who noted their location as South Yorkshire in the New Year Honours 2025 List, none of which were above OBE level. There were 11 individuals who noted their location as Sheffield, none of which were above OBE level.

Information on the number of nominations by mayoral authority in South Yorkshire is not captured, as we are unable to break down the data in that way. However, of those who listed their location as South Yorkshire, 1 individual received an award above MBE level.

56 recipients of honours in the New Year's Honours List 2025 received recognition in previous honours lists.

This data relates only to the main Prime Minister’s List and does not include data from the Defence List or the Overseas and International List, which are not administered by the Cabinet Office.

Transparency data for the list by county, the level of award received and the service for which each recipient has been recognised, as well as information on recipients recognised in previous honours lists, is publicly available on gov.uk.

Honours are awarded on merit basis. A key aim of the honours system is to ensure that it is more representative of the country as a whole and we will continue to encourage more nominations from every corner of the UK, including South Yorkshire, in future honours lists.

There are currently 63 living recipients of the Companion of Honour. Data is collected using the region that the recipient gave as their correspondence address when the honour was originally awarded, therefore current address data for recipients prior to the New Year Honours 2025 round is not held. In the New Years Honours 2025 list, there was 1 Companion of Honour awarded to a recipient in the London region.

Statistical information held in relation to the regional breakdown of recipients at all levels for the King’s New Year Honours List 2025 can be found below. Percentages are rounded to 1 decimal point. Data for CBE and higher levels has been aggregated and is also included below. Data reflects the correspondence address provided by recipients.

Data is collected using city/town and county, then aggregated into regional figures at the time that the recipients were sounded for an award, not when they were originally nominated. There were 17 individuals who noted their location as South Yorkshire in the New Year Honours 2025 List, none of which were above OBE level. There were 11 individuals who noted their location as Sheffield, none of which were above OBE level.

Information on the number of nominations by mayoral authority in South Yorkshire is not captured, as we are unable to break down the data in that way. However, of those who listed their location as South Yorkshire, 1 individual received an award above MBE level.

56 recipients of honours in the New Year's Honours List 2025 received recognition in previous honours lists.

This data relates only to the main Prime Minister’s List and does not include data from the Defence List or the Overseas and International List, which are not administered by the Cabinet Office.

Transparency data for the list by county, the level of award received and the service for which each recipient has been recognised, as well as information on recipients recognised in previous honours lists, is publicly available on gov.uk.

Honours are awarded on merit basis. A key aim of the honours system is to ensure that it is more representative of the country as a whole and we will continue to encourage more nominations from every corner of the UK, including South Yorkshire, in future honours lists.

There are currently 63 living recipients of the Companion of Honour. Data is collected using the region that the recipient gave as their correspondence address when the honour was originally awarded, therefore current address data for recipients prior to the New Year Honours 2025 round is not held. In the New Years Honours 2025 list, there was 1 Companion of Honour awarded to a recipient in the London region.

Statistical information held in relation to the regional breakdown of recipients at all levels for the King’s New Year Honours List 2025 can be found below. Percentages are rounded to 1 decimal point. Data for CBE and higher levels has been aggregated and is also included below. Data reflects the correspondence address provided by recipients.

Data is collected using city/town and county, then aggregated into regional figures at the time that the recipients were sounded for an award, not when they were originally nominated. There were 17 individuals who noted their location as South Yorkshire in the New Year Honours 2025 List, none of which were above OBE level. There were 11 individuals who noted their location as Sheffield, none of which were above OBE level.

Information on the number of nominations by mayoral authority in South Yorkshire is not captured, as we are unable to break down the data in that way. However, of those who listed their location as South Yorkshire, 1 individual received an award above MBE level.

56 recipients of honours in the New Year's Honours List 2025 received recognition in previous honours lists.

This data relates only to the main Prime Minister’s List and does not include data from the Defence List or the Overseas and International List, which are not administered by the Cabinet Office.

Transparency data for the list by county, the level of award received and the service for which each recipient has been recognised, as well as information on recipients recognised in previous honours lists, is publicly available on gov.uk.

Honours are awarded on merit basis. A key aim of the honours system is to ensure that it is more representative of the country as a whole and we will continue to encourage more nominations from every corner of the UK, including South Yorkshire, in future honours lists.

There are currently 63 living recipients of the Companion of Honour. Data is collected using the region that the recipient gave as their correspondence address when the honour was originally awarded, therefore current address data for recipients prior to the New Year Honours 2025 round is not held. In the New Years Honours 2025 list, there was 1 Companion of Honour awarded to a recipient in the London region.

Statistical information held in relation to the regional breakdown of recipients at all levels for the King’s New Year Honours List 2025 can be found below. Percentages are rounded to 1 decimal point. Data for CBE and higher levels has been aggregated and is also included below. Data reflects the correspondence address provided by recipients.

Data is collected using city/town and county, then aggregated into regional figures at the time that the recipients were sounded for an award, not when they were originally nominated. There were 17 individuals who noted their location as South Yorkshire in the New Year Honours 2025 List, none of which were above OBE level. There were 11 individuals who noted their location as Sheffield, none of which were above OBE level.

Information on the number of nominations by mayoral authority in South Yorkshire is not captured, as we are unable to break down the data in that way. However, of those who listed their location as South Yorkshire, 1 individual received an award above MBE level.

56 recipients of honours in the New Year's Honours List 2025 received recognition in previous honours lists.

This data relates only to the main Prime Minister’s List and does not include data from the Defence List or the Overseas and International List, which are not administered by the Cabinet Office.

Transparency data for the list by county, the level of award received and the service for which each recipient has been recognised, as well as information on recipients recognised in previous honours lists, is publicly available on gov.uk.

Honours are awarded on merit basis. A key aim of the honours system is to ensure that it is more representative of the country as a whole and we will continue to encourage more nominations from every corner of the UK, including South Yorkshire, in future honours lists.

There are currently 63 living recipients of the Companion of Honour. Data is collected using the region that the recipient gave as their correspondence address when the honour was originally awarded, therefore current address data for recipients prior to the New Year Honours 2025 round is not held. In the New Years Honours 2025 list, there was 1 Companion of Honour awarded to a recipient in the London region.

Statistical information held in relation to the regional breakdown of recipients at all levels for the King’s New Year Honours List 2025 can be found below. Percentages are rounded to 1 decimal point. Data for CBE and higher levels has been aggregated and is also included below. Data reflects the correspondence address provided by recipients.

Data is collected using city/town and county, then aggregated into regional figures at the time that the recipients were sounded for an award, not when they were originally nominated. There were 17 individuals who noted their location as South Yorkshire in the New Year Honours 2025 List, none of which were above OBE level. There were 11 individuals who noted their location as Sheffield, none of which were above OBE level.

Information on the number of nominations by mayoral authority in South Yorkshire is not captured, as we are unable to break down the data in that way. However, of those who listed their location as South Yorkshire, 1 individual received an award above MBE level.

56 recipients of honours in the New Year's Honours List 2025 received recognition in previous honours lists.

This data relates only to the main Prime Minister’s List and does not include data from the Defence List or the Overseas and International List, which are not administered by the Cabinet Office.

Transparency data for the list by county, the level of award received and the service for which each recipient has been recognised, as well as information on recipients recognised in previous honours lists, is publicly available on gov.uk.

Honours are awarded on merit basis. A key aim of the honours system is to ensure that it is more representative of the country as a whole and we will continue to encourage more nominations from every corner of the UK, including South Yorkshire, in future honours lists.

Tackling Child Poverty: Developing Our Strategy sets out the approach to building expertise into the child poverty strategy from across and outside Government.

This includes: engagement directly with the Child Poverty Ministerial Taskforce across the Strategy’s four core themes; working with leading organisations, charities and campaigners with child poverty expertise, such as Save the Children, IPPR, Citizens Advice, Child Poverty Action Group, Barnardo’s, and the National Children’s Bureau, who are bringing together their networks through roundtables or other forums to discuss the drivers and experience of child poverty, and what action is needed to reduce it; and work to hear directly from parents, carers and children.

This engagement is in addition to the large existing evidence base on child poverty in the UK and internationally, which the Taskforce is building understanding from.

As set out in the October publication referenced above, organisations and individuals are also welcome to submit specific evidence to childpoverty.secretariat@cabinetoffice.gov.uk.

The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.

Please see the letter attached from the National Statistician and Chief Executive of the UK Statistics Authority.

The Rt Hon. the Lord Blunkett

House of Lords

London

SW1A 0PW

14 October 2024

Dear Lord Blunkett,

As National Statistician and Chief Executive of the UK Statistics Authority, I am responding to your Parliamentary Question asking how many times since the 2021 Census the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has (1) varied a published official statistic, (2) reverted a statistic to “development stage", and (3) downgraded a forecast; and how often the ONS has published data since April 2021 on (a) quarterly economic growth, and (b) migration statistics (HL1172).

Changes or updates to published official statistics are sometimes required for various reasons. We use different terminology depending on the reason for the change or update. These terms are “correction of errors” and “revisions”.

Despite having quality control measures in place, mistakes may be found in our statistics. Correction of errors are amendments that are made to published statistics in response to the identification of mistakes following their initial publication. Since the 2021 Census (21 March 2021), we have published 3,763 statistical releases1 and made 577 corrections; however, the vast majority (553, or 96%) of these corrections were for minor errors which did not materially affect the interpretation or use of the statistics. The table below shows the breakdown by calendar year:

Revisions are updates to previously published statistics that improve quality by incorporating improved methods, additional data sources or statistics that were unavailable at the point of initial publication. Revisions should not be confused with the correction of errors; revisions are not published to correct a mistake. We do not hold the number of revisions made to official statistics in one centralised source, as these are a standard part of our process. Our Revisions and Corrections policies2 expand on the difference in more detail.

Accredited official statistics are a sub-set of official statistics that have been independently reviewed by the Office for Statistics Regulation and confirmed as complying with the standards of trustworthiness, quality and value in the Code of Practice for Statistics.

Official statistics in development are official statistics that are undergoing a development; they may be new or existing statistics, and will be tested with users, in line with the standards of trustworthiness, quality, and value in the Code of Practice for Statistics. The designation does not mean that the statistics are of poor quality and even though the statistics are going through development and testing, we are confident that they are useful.

Since 21 March 2021 there have been three instances where accredited official statistics have changed to “official statistics in development”. These are Employment in the UK (14 November 2023, Correspondence3), Gender identity, England and Wales: Census 2021 (12 September 2024, Correspondence4), and Annual Population Survey estimates (9 October 2024, Correspondence5).

We do not hold data on non-accredited official statistics that have become "official statistics in development".

There are also a small number of ONS outputs that have reverted from “accredited official statistics” to “official statistics” status, but these are not “official statistics in development”. In most cases the change in designation is at the request of the producer to signal to users that the statistics no longer comply fully with the standards in the Code of Practice for Statistics. The Office for Statistics Regulation maintains a list6 of all accredited official statistics that have been de-designated.

The ONS does not make forecasts, estimates or predictions about future events or trends.

Since April 2021, the ONS has released the latest data on quarterly economic growth on a quarterly basis in 28 publications of the GDP first quarterly estimate and GDP quarterly national accounts. Over the same period the ONS has published long-term international migration statistics on a bi-annual basis, six times in total. These releases contain revisions to improve the quality and reduce the uncertainty of previously published estimates by using more up to date data, in line with international best practice standards.

The ONS has published a range of further analysis and commentary on both topics, but those publications are based on previously published data first made available via the releases outlined above.

Yours sincerely,

Professor Sir Ian Diamond

1Including statistical bulletins, analytical articles, methodology papers and data tables.

2https://www.ons.gov.uk/methodology/methodologytopicsandstatisticalconcepts/revisions/guidetostatisTicalrevisions

3Exchange of letters between Ed Humpherson (OSR) and Alex Lambert and Darren Morgan (ONS) -

Office for National Statistics

4ONS letter to the OSR on Census 2021 gender identity estimates - Office for National Statistics

5Michael Keoghan to Siobhan Tuohy-Smith: Request to suspend APS accreditation – Office for

Statistics Regulation (statisticsauthority.gov.uk)

6https://osr.statisticsauthority.gov.uk/our-regulatory-work/assessment/cancelled-or-suspended-accreditations/

The panel will be chaired by the First Civil Service Commissioner Baroness Gisela Stuart. The Chair must ensure compliance with the Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment Principles.

The panel is composed of independent members who possess both Civil Service experience and expertise from outside the Civil Service. They are responsible for selecting the most qualified and suitable candidate for the position.

There are currently 63 living recipients of the Companion of Honour. Information is only held on 41 living recipients. Honours data is routinely destroyed by the Cabinet Office in accordance with our data retention policy for honours and not all the nominations were processed by the Cabinet Office, therefore we do not hold all of the information requested.

Data is collected using the region that the recipient gave as their correspondence address when the honour was originally awarded; this is usually their home address and does not necessarily reflect their area of origin. This data was gathered at the time that the awards were made and therefore the data for each recipient may not be current.

Statistical information held in relation to the regional breakdown of recipients at all levels for the King’s Birthday Honours List 2024 can be found below. Percentages are rounded to 1 decimal point. Data for CBE and higher levels has been aggregated and is also included below. Data reflects the correspondence address provided by recipients. Transparency data containing the location of recipients is published on gov.uk.

Data is collected using county and aggregated into regional figures. Information on the number of nominations by mayoral region in South Yorkshire is not captured, as we are unable to break down the data in that way.

This data relates only to the main Prime Minister’s List and does not include data from the Defence List or the Overseas and International List, which are not administered by the Cabinet Office.

Transparency data for the list by county, the level of award received and the service for which each recipient has been recognised for, as well as information on recipients recognised in previous honours lists is publicly available on gov.uk.

Honours are awarded on merit basis. A key aim of the honours system is to ensure that it is more representative of the country as a whole and we will continue to encourage more nominations from every corner of the UK, including South Yorkshire, in future honours lists.

There are currently 63 living recipients of the Companion of Honour. Information is only held on 41 living recipients. Honours data is routinely destroyed by the Cabinet Office in accordance with our data retention policy for honours and not all the nominations were processed by the Cabinet Office, therefore we do not hold all of the information requested.

Data is collected using the region that the recipient gave as their correspondence address when the honour was originally awarded; this is usually their home address and does not necessarily reflect their area of origin. This data was gathered at the time that the awards were made and therefore the data for each recipient may not be current.

Statistical information held in relation to the regional breakdown of recipients at all levels for the King’s Birthday Honours List 2024 can be found below. Percentages are rounded to 1 decimal point. Data for CBE and higher levels has been aggregated and is also included below. Data reflects the correspondence address provided by recipients. Transparency data containing the location of recipients is published on gov.uk.

Data is collected using county and aggregated into regional figures. Information on the number of nominations by mayoral region in South Yorkshire is not captured, as we are unable to break down the data in that way.

This data relates only to the main Prime Minister’s List and does not include data from the Defence List or the Overseas and International List, which are not administered by the Cabinet Office.

Transparency data for the list by county, the level of award received and the service for which each recipient has been recognised for, as well as information on recipients recognised in previous honours lists is publicly available on gov.uk.

Honours are awarded on merit basis. A key aim of the honours system is to ensure that it is more representative of the country as a whole and we will continue to encourage more nominations from every corner of the UK, including South Yorkshire, in future honours lists.

There are currently 63 living recipients of the Companion of Honour. Information is only held on 41 living recipients. Honours data is routinely destroyed by the Cabinet Office in accordance with our data retention policy for honours and not all the nominations were processed by the Cabinet Office, therefore we do not hold all of the information requested.

Data is collected using the region that the recipient gave as their correspondence address when the honour was originally awarded; this is usually their home address and does not necessarily reflect their area of origin. This data was gathered at the time that the awards were made and therefore the data for each recipient may not be current.

Statistical information held in relation to the regional breakdown of recipients at all levels for the King’s Birthday Honours List 2024 can be found below. Percentages are rounded to 1 decimal point. Data for CBE and higher levels has been aggregated and is also included below. Data reflects the correspondence address provided by recipients. Transparency data containing the location of recipients is published on gov.uk.

Data is collected using county and aggregated into regional figures. Information on the number of nominations by mayoral region in South Yorkshire is not captured, as we are unable to break down the data in that way.

This data relates only to the main Prime Minister’s List and does not include data from the Defence List or the Overseas and International List, which are not administered by the Cabinet Office.

Transparency data for the list by county, the level of award received and the service for which each recipient has been recognised for, as well as information on recipients recognised in previous honours lists is publicly available on gov.uk.

Honours are awarded on merit basis. A key aim of the honours system is to ensure that it is more representative of the country as a whole and we will continue to encourage more nominations from every corner of the UK, including South Yorkshire, in future honours lists.

There are currently 63 living recipients of the Companion of Honour. Information is only held on 41 living recipients. Honours data is routinely destroyed by the Cabinet Office in accordance with our data retention policy for honours and not all the nominations were processed by the Cabinet Office, therefore we do not hold all of the information requested.

Data is collected using the region that the recipient gave as their correspondence address when the honour was originally awarded; this is usually their home address and does not necessarily reflect their area of origin. This data was gathered at the time that the awards were made and therefore the data for each recipient may not be current.

Statistical information held in relation to the regional breakdown of recipients at all levels for the King’s Birthday Honours List 2024 can be found below. Percentages are rounded to 1 decimal point. Data for CBE and higher levels has been aggregated and is also included below. Data reflects the correspondence address provided by recipients. Transparency data containing the location of recipients is published on gov.uk.

Data is collected using county and aggregated into regional figures. Information on the number of nominations by mayoral region in South Yorkshire is not captured, as we are unable to break down the data in that way.

This data relates only to the main Prime Minister’s List and does not include data from the Defence List or the Overseas and International List, which are not administered by the Cabinet Office.

Transparency data for the list by county, the level of award received and the service for which each recipient has been recognised for, as well as information on recipients recognised in previous honours lists is publicly available on gov.uk.

Honours are awarded on merit basis. A key aim of the honours system is to ensure that it is more representative of the country as a whole and we will continue to encourage more nominations from every corner of the UK, including South Yorkshire, in future honours lists.

There are currently 63 living recipients of the Companion of Honour. Information is only held on 41 living recipients. Honours data is routinely destroyed by the Cabinet Office in accordance with our data retention policy for honours and not all the nominations were processed by the Cabinet Office, therefore we do not hold all of the information requested.

Data is collected using the region that the recipient gave as their correspondence address when the honour was originally awarded; this is usually their home address and does not necessarily reflect their area of origin. This data was gathered at the time that the awards were made and therefore the data for each recipient may not be current.

Statistical information held in relation to the regional breakdown of recipients at all levels for the King’s Birthday Honours List 2024 can be found below. Percentages are rounded to 1 decimal point. Data for CBE and higher levels has been aggregated and is also included below. Data reflects the correspondence address provided by recipients. Transparency data containing the location of recipients is published on gov.uk.

Data is collected using county and aggregated into regional figures. Information on the number of nominations by mayoral region in South Yorkshire is not captured, as we are unable to break down the data in that way.

This data relates only to the main Prime Minister’s List and does not include data from the Defence List or the Overseas and International List, which are not administered by the Cabinet Office.

Transparency data for the list by county, the level of award received and the service for which each recipient has been recognised for, as well as information on recipients recognised in previous honours lists is publicly available on gov.uk.

Honours are awarded on merit basis. A key aim of the honours system is to ensure that it is more representative of the country as a whole and we will continue to encourage more nominations from every corner of the UK, including South Yorkshire, in future honours lists.

The government considered which qualifications are needed alongside T Levels and A levels in its rapid review of qualifications reform at the end of last year and retained funding for 157 qualifications that were previously due to have funding removed following that review. The government will retain funding for these qualifications until we consider that they are no longer needed. The government also made clear that we will not allow for other types of large qualifications in T Level areas. This is because T Levels are high quality qualifications and should be the qualification of choice for those who wish to study a large qualification in T Level areas.

Alongside A levels and T Levels, learners can study alternative level 3 qualifications. These currently include applied general qualifications and technical and vocational qualifications, which are being reformed into Alternative Academic Qualifications and Reformed Technical Qualifications. 74 of these newly reformed level 3 qualifications were approved in May 2024 and will be available to teach from this August, with more to follow in 2026.

The department has also removed the additional requirements to the rules of combination until 2027. This change allows providers greater flexibility to create study programmes that best suit individual learner needs.

Removing the additional requirements on the rules of combination will ensure that we are not pre-empting recommendations from the Curriculum and Assessment Review on curriculum pathways and longer-term qualifications reform.

The department will consider the Review’s recommendations, including on qualification types and sizes, when they are published later this year, and we will update guidance to awarding organisations following our consideration of the Review’s final report.

The government has policies in place to support schools and local authorities to fulfil their duty to give due regard to the Armed Forces Covenant. This includes in specific areas of education provision, including school admissions.

The school admissions code already contains a number of measures to support service children in relation to school admissions.

These measures include requiring admission authorities to allocate school places in advance of a service family moving into the area, where a place is available, provided the application is accompanied by an official letter that declares a re-location date. Children of UK service personnel can also be admitted as exceptions to the infant class size limit if they move outside the normal admission round.

Furthermore, admission authorities are able to give priority in their oversubscription criteria to children in receipt of the Service Pupil Premium, and publicly funded boarding schools must give service children who qualify for Ministry of Defence financial assistance with the cost of boarding fees priority after looked after and previously looked after children.

Admission authorities are already able to give priority to siblings in their admissions criteria where they feel that is appropriate to their local circumstances, although they are not required to do so.

Through the Children’s Wellbeing and School Bill, this government is taking further steps to ensure a more robust safety net for children who struggle to secure a school place via the usual in-year admissions processes, by giving local authorities the levers they need to secure places for children more quickly and efficiently, when the usual in-year admissions processes fall short.

The government has policies in place to support schools and local authorities to fulfil their duty to give due regard to the Armed Forces Covenant. This includes in specific areas of education provision, including school admissions.

The school admissions code already contains a number of measures to support service children in relation to school admissions.

These measures include requiring admission authorities to allocate school places in advance of a service family moving into the area, where a place is available, provided the application is accompanied by an official letter that declares a re-location date. Children of UK service personnel can also be admitted as exceptions to the infant class size limit if they move outside the normal admission round.

Furthermore, admission authorities are able to give priority in their oversubscription criteria to children in receipt of the Service Pupil Premium, and publicly funded boarding schools must give service children who qualify for Ministry of Defence financial assistance with the cost of boarding fees priority after looked after and previously looked after children.

Admission authorities are already able to give priority to siblings in their admissions criteria where they feel that is appropriate to their local circumstances, although they are not required to do so.

Through the Children’s Wellbeing and School Bill, this government is taking further steps to ensure a more robust safety net for children who struggle to secure a school place via the usual in-year admissions processes, by giving local authorities the levers they need to secure places for children more quickly and efficiently, when the usual in-year admissions processes fall short.

The department has calculated that the number of staff transferring from Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE) into Skills England will ensure core IfATE functions continue. These roles will make up a portion of the total workforce of Skills England. There will be additional staff from the department supporting on Skills England’s broader remit of work.

This continuity in resource levels will support qualification and apprenticeships development, including working with employers, to ensure a smooth transition and continuity of service. A full list of IfATE staff can be found here: https://www.data.gov.uk/dataset/c4b0d784-19a0-4027-84fd-4721cb83281f/organogram-of-staff-roles-and-salaries-for-ifate-september-2024.

In the attachment, table 1 shows the total numbers of Initial Teacher Training (ITT) trainees aged 40 and above with course outcomes for the academic years 2020/21 to 2022/23 and for each secondary subject. The table also shows the number of such trainees who did not go on to teach in a state-funded school within 16 months of the end of the academic year.

Information on the outcomes of trainees in receipt of bursaries and/or scholarships is not readily available and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

However, postgraduate salaried trainees are ineligible for bursaries and scholarships and the number of undergraduate fee-funded trainees over 40 who are eligible for bursaries is negligible.

In the attachment, table 2 shows, as a proportion of ITT trainees on postgraduate fee-funded ITT routes only, the number that were aged 40 and over and did not go on to teach in a state-funded school within 16 months of the end of the academic year. These proportions are applied to total bursary and scholarship spend, for each academic year and secondary subject. A small minority of trainees are ineligible for a bursary or scholarship, so this assumes that those over 40 who did not teach in a state-funded school within 16 months were as likely to be eligible for a bursary or scholarship as the overall trainee cohort in each year.

The length and structure of the school year in academies is a matter for the academy trust.

Non-statutory guidance is in place which sets out the expectation that all mainstream, state-funded schools, including academies, should deliver a minimum school week of 32.5 hours by September 2024. As with all government policies we will keep this approach under review.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccination programmes for pregnant women to protect newborns and adults aged between 75 and 79 years old began in England on 1 September 2024.

Supplies of RSV vaccines were available for all general practices (GPs) and maternity services in England to order, including those in the South Yorkshire Integrated Care Board area, from 1 August 2024, to allow pre-positioning of vaccine stock in the National Health Service in advance of the national programmes going live in September.

The South Yorkshire Integrated Care Board supported the national timelines and promoted the programmes extensively, with GPs and maternity services administering RSV vaccines to eligible groups from the 1 September. While a small number of GPs in Sheffield have experienced delays in starting the RSV programmes, all have now placed supply orders and are offering bookings for those who are eligible to get vaccinated.